Peptide Regulation of Ageing: From Experiment to Practice

The article presents an analysis of the results of many years of research devoted to the study of biological activity of peptide bioregulators at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels, as well as at the level of the organism. The study of peptide efficacy and analysis of their mechanism of action allowed the famous Russian gerontologist Vladimir Khavinson to propose the concept of peptide regulation of gene expression and protein synthesis. He developed and introduced the technology of obtaining active peptide preparations from animal tissues and also synthesized short peptides with targeted tissue-specific action, which are also capable of regulating gene activity and protein synthesis in cells. It has been established that they stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation, can have immunomodulatory effects, and inhibit apoptosis, thus restoring tissue functions in various pathologies. It is extremely important to study the effect of peptides on the stabilization of cell metabolism and prevention of premature aging, which may contribute to the species limited life. The review presents the results of experimental and clinical studies of peptide drugs in ageing, as well as the prospects of their use for the prevention and treatment of a number of cardiovascular, oncological, neurological, neurodegenarative, and other age-associated diseases.